It's Alex Ovechkin vs. Zdeno Chara

BOSTON -- The Washington Capitals do not have all the answers for getting around Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Zdeno Chara, so maybe they're trying to kill the 6-9 defenseman with compliments.

"Best defenseman in the league," said head coach Bruce Boudreau after Thursday morning's skate at TD Garden.

"Big, strong, longest stick in the NHL -- one of the best d-men in the game," said tonight's nemesis, Hart Trophy winner Alexander Ovechkin.

"Probably the toughest player to go against in the league," said Ovechkin disher Nicklas Backstrom.

The 2009-10 NHL season kicks off Thursday night in Boston with a crash and a bang. Two teams that fell short of Stanley Cup Finals expectations last season. Two teams with great expectations for this one. And, of course, one of the best matchups in the league: Chara vs. Ovechkin -- the most punishing defenseman against the most dazzling forward.

Bob Beers, FanHouse's Guest Analyst

"The Bruins have done a decent job with Ovechkin over the last year," said the ex-Bruins defenseman and current radio color commentator. "They approach him with a 'layered' system -- if he gets by one guy, another is waiting for him. You have to eliminate Ovechkin's speed coming through the neutral zone. You also have to look out for Semin, who led the Caps in scoring last year against the Bruins. He can be just as deadly, just more quietly. The other key tonight is for the Bruins to control their emotions. They are very jacked up for this game. Intensity is important, but it has to be under control. You don't want to be in the penalty box against Washington."

Of course, this being hockey, the stars of this show won't go for any one-on-one talk, as if this was Kobe vs. LeBron.

"We have to play Alex as a team," Chara told FanHouse in a one-on-one conversation this morning. "If we try to attack it as me against him, we're in for a long night. For us to have any chance of shutting him down, we have to approach it as a unit of five. He's an amazing hockey player. If you were to build a player with all the tools you could possibly have, you'd have Ovechkin.

"Every game against him is a challenge. He's strong and he likes to mix it up. Then there are times when he lets his linemates do a lot of the work and he kind of sneaks into the play. And don't forget about his release -- as good as anyone's. I'd say it's fun to play against Ovechkin, but it's too much of a competition."

The Bruins have snatched points in 14 consecutive home games against the Capitals. They are 10-0-2-2 in that stretch with their last regulation home loss coming B.O. -- Before Ovechkin -- on Dec. 2, 2000. Boston's effectiveness in keeping the Caps' superstar in check at the Garden is one of the biggest factors.

"It's not the rink, it's the players," said Ovechkin. Added Boudreau: "The Bruins are real good and they're hungry."

On Chara, the coach said, "He's seven feet on skates and has a wingspan of about 30 feet. He has become the total package. Now scouts are looking at 6-7, 6-8 guys in every draft and thinking this kid could be the next Zdeno Chara."

Ovechkin was asked if he's ever spent much time off the ice with the good-natured Chara, his fellow NHL award winner. "I've hung out with Z a little bit and he's a great guy," said the Washington right wing. "He's good for our league."

How about on the ice?

"Tough, very tough," said Ovechkin. "No one can get around him by ourselves. We're going to need everyone ready to battle tonight. It's like war."

The FanHouse Forecast Chara -- with some help from Lucic and the rest -- keeps Ovechkin reasonably under control. Same with the Bruins and their emotions for their home opener. Tim Thomas is the better goaltender and the Bruins win, 4-3

Capitals Notes: Asked "Goaltender for tonight?" Bruce Boudreau said, "Yes." After the laughter, the coach told reporters he'd inform them at 5:00 p.m. ET whether Varlamov or Theodore was his starter. ... While Schultz and Sloan are likely tonight's blueline scratches, Boudreau refused to confirm. He also said Sloan was the Capitals' best defenseman in training camp.

Even the best teams have their troubles. For Washington, it's Michael Nylander. The 37-year-old center has a $4.75 million salary cap hit, a no-move clause in his contract and no role on the team. His relationship with Boudreau is said to be beyond repair. The rumor mill has Nylander soon returning to Russia to play in the KHL while the Capitals pay his salary. Nylander skated today in the Garden after the formal team workout.

The Capitals lost 2004 second round pick Chris Bourque yesterday on waivers. Washington took the gamble of placing the solid prospect on the waiver wire because they were all of $15,000 over the salary cap. Not a typo: $15,000. ... Besides Ovechkin, Poti and Knuble have been named alternate captains. ... Boudreau, on what he expects from the addition of the veteran free agent Knuble: "30 goals, I hope."

Capitals' Projected Lineup Forwards Alexander Ovechkin - Nicklas Backstrom - Alexander Semin Brooks Laich - Brendan Morrison - Mike Knuble Quintin Laing - David Steckel - Chris Clark Boyd Kane - Boyd Gordon - Matt Bradley Defensemen Shaone Morrison - Mike Green Tom Poti - Milan Jurcina John Erskine - Brian Pothier (Jeff Schultz, Tyler Sloan) Goalies Semyon Varlamov Jose Theodore

Bruins Notes: The availability of rising star center David Krejci in the lineup for the season opener was a happy surprise for the Bruins. The 23-year-old, who had 73 points last season, had hip surgery in the offseason and was not expected back until at least November. Bruins head coach Claude Julien said his remarkable return is a testimony to Krejci's commitment and the work of the Boston medical and training staff. "For me, I call it a bonus," said Julien.

All-Star Tim Thomas gets the start tonight in goal for the Bruins. ... Boychuk appears to be locked in as Boston's seventh defenseman.

Julien, on the renewed New England focus on the Bruins, said "Hopefully, we are back on the map. The thing is now to stay on the map. There is a lot of good competition here in Boston. Our other sports teams do well and we want to be part of that group." As he observed the large press contingent at today's skate, Julien said, "Looking at the media attention we are getting now, hopefully we are on the right track."

Bruins' Projected Lineup Forwards Milan Lucic - Marc Savard - Marco Sturm Blake Wheeler - David Krejci - Michael Ryder Mark Recchi - Patrice Bergeron - Chuck Kobasew Shawn Thornton - Steve Begin - Byron Bitz Defensemen Zdeno Chara - Derek Morris Andrew Ference - Dennis Wideman Mark Stuart - Matt Hunwick Goalies Tim Thomas (Tuukka Rask)